Minnies Haven

Painting Numbers Kit

We reviewed the Makita LXT Drill/Driver, model number BHP452. This came in the kit LXT 702, which is a 7 piece combo kit. When you first pick up the drill, you will notice this has great balance in your hand. Balance is very important because if you are working with a drill all day long, you need to worry about fatigue. When your arm gets tired, your work begins to suffer. Overall this is a great drill, plenty of power.

We tested the drill a couple of ways. First we used a 1/2"drill bit and drilled into some lumber, no problem as we expected. Next we used used frostner bits and drilled bigger holes, again no problems. We also used a concrete bit and drilled into some concrete, when very smooth and didn't bog down.

We ran some other tests that we took video of and this drill ran through everything we expected. Over all we love this drill. The Makita has great balance and lots of power. We should mention we used the 3.0 amp batteries.

Below we listed some of the pro's and con's

Pro's

Light weight

Great Chuck

Good Balance

Con's

We really didn't have any cons to this drill, but we didn't find the little LED light in the front very useful. Also there is a belt clip attached to the drill. Some might find this beneficial, but if you use a tool belt, there is an option to take the belt clip off as you might not need it.

Learn more about power tools, see power tool reviews, visit our forums and more at http://www.professional-power-tool-guide.com

Pre-stamped carpet?

A while ago i saw this paint-it-yourself pre-stamped carpet. It looks like the paint-by-numbers kits, but its slightly different. Does anyone here know what I'm talking about, and if you do- do you know where to get them?

Thanks

I've seen what I think you are talking about. It is a plush fabric and some markers and you can draw & color the carpet to a specific pattern. I actually have such a kit that I picked up at a miniature show, from someone that was selling off her old stock. The problem is, I don't know if they are making those kits anymore. If not, then it means ebay. If they are, it means a search on the internet for a distributor. I've tried that, myself, but no luck so far. I'm a miniaturist myself, so if you are just looking for generic info, email me. If I find my kit and get a specific name/brand or other clue to help searching, I'll let you know.

Curb Painting

Bit Set Craft

How to paint with Reeves oil paints?

I just wanted to play around and paint a little bit, so I bought a set of Reeves oil paints. I know they're not high quality and all of that, but again, I'm just trying to occupy some time, and I've used their acrylics before, and they're very cheap!

Anyway, I need some tips on painting with oil. I've ready many other Yahoo Answers results, but can anyone just simply answer me how to use these paints... what does it mean that I need to mix them with a "medium" and turpentine or something like that...? What does that do to the paint? And how to do I make a wash? I read on one result that a red wash was a good wash to start with, I get the idea that this covers the canvas, but do I just dilute the paint with... well I'm not sure! Please help! I'm an absolute beginner with oil painting! So far I have canvas and the Reeves set, I've got to go tomorrow to the craft store so I can buy brushes and turp or whatever then!

http://www.guidetooilpainting.com

http://www.squidoo.com/oil-painting-beginners

http://painting.about.com/od/oilpaintingfaq/f/FAQstartoils.htm

ak 47 paper craft (http://bit.ly/ak47dwnld)

Set Ships

When considering senior travel, why not let someone else do all the hard work for you? Cruises are an excellent way to see more of the world while enjoying the deep relaxation that should come with all vacations. Many cruise lines extend special discounts and perks to seniors, and this summer is a great time to take advantage of those offers. Read on to find out more about some of the very best cruises available for senior travel.

1. Crystal Cruises

Crystal offers both themed and traditional cruises all over the world and caters especially to seniors-most passengers are between the ages of 50 and 75. Themed cruises include expert on- and off-ship instruction on sports, hobbies, cultural activities, and more. Crystal Cruises offers travel discounts to seniors and makes every effort to accommodate special-needs passengers. Oxygen, dialysis, bed extensions, wheelchair transfers, and other equipment is available to seniors who may need it.

2. Carnival Cruises

One of the biggest names in cruises today, Carnival is a fantastic choice for senior travel on a budget. And it's aptly named-there are always chances to join the party on a Carnival cruise. The line boasts a variety of bars, spas, entertainment revues, and lounges. If you're watching your weight or have special dietary needs, Carnival is also a good choice, as it's one of the few cruise lines that offer designated low-fat and low-carb menu options.

3. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's ships include casinos, restaurants for all tastes, pools, active nighttime options, and all-day entertainment. For seniors who enjoy being in shape and exercising, this line is a good bet. Ships are very large, so you'll do a lot of walking to and from activities, meals, and rooms. You can also take advantage of a golf simulator, rock-climbing wall, skating rink, basketball court, and other exercise facilities.

4. Cunard Cruises

Billing itself as "a majestic experience," this luxury cruise line is perfect for seniors who want to be pampered and enjoy a high-class vacation. Ships are elegant and reminiscent of the line's British heritage, with sophisticated touches ranging from ballrooms to on-board enrichment classes. Passengers can also enjoy the daily British tradition of afternoon tea with fresh baked goods and light refreshments. Queen Elizabeth, a new ship from Cunard that's set to sail in the fall of 2010, will include 12 guest decks and carry more than 2,000 guests per voyage.

5. Disney Cruise Line

If you want to take your grandchildren or younger family members along for a voyage with you, there's no better choice than Disney. Cruises offer dozens of fun activities for people of all ages-grandchildren will love playing games with other kids and seeing Disney characters on board, and there's plenty of entertainment for seniors, too. The best part of a Disney cruise is finding something for everyone. It can be a challenge to please several generations on the same trip, but with Disney, you'll be able to enjoy your personal vacation and bond with your family at the same time.

ElderlyElder is an online magazine for senior citizens. It's conversational style of articles cover Travel for Seniors, Senior Health, Estate Planning, and more.

http://www.elderlyelder.com

How difficult would be it be to set up a web-site in order to be able to sell something on there.?

I am looking to set up a web-site for a cookbook that I recently made.

I am wondering how much is involved to set a website up in order to sell them and be able to receive payments on there and set up shipping information. Does anyone know any good sites on how to do that? How difficult is it to do? How much would I be looking at to set this up?

You can find some free information at http://www.firstinforeview.com they suggest web hosts that offer free website building software, so just about anyone can create there own site. This site was set up to help people with affiliate products. Just skip the part that shows you where to get the products to resell, Since you already have a product and you should be all set. You can also email them if you have any questions. They actually get back to you.

Τα καράβια μου καίω (To my ships I set fire)

Hour Dvd

How to rip CSS-protected DVD to AVI format for DVD backup?

First of all, to rip CSS-protected DVD to AVI format is possible with DVD decrypter program, but is confined to legal use of the DVD only. CSS-protection measure has long been the practice for preventing commercial DVDs from being copied to hard disk or cloned to reproduction. But we are allowed to use DVD decrypter to clone our expensive store bought CSS-protected DVD for DVD backup. As for DVD backup, it only makes sense to rip DVD to a format with DVD-like quality, smaller size and high portability. So this is why we are going to rip DVD to AVI format for the best DVD backup effort.

Normally, we need a DVD decrypter and a DVD converter to accomplish the task. But now we have an integrated program with comprehensible interface. It is called Leawo DVD Ripper.

Leawo DVD Ripper is highly compatible with any CSS-protected DVD. CSS-protected DVD will be recognized and automatically decrypted without our interference. So let's focus on how to rip DVD to AVI format in high quality, that is, DVD-like quality, smaller size and high portability.

Here is the download link to the software. Need more checkups, please visit the DVD Ripper's page.

This is a very comprehensible DVD decrypter/ripper program. Feed the CSS-protected DVD in the DVD-ROM drive and use the "Load DVD" function on the program main interface. Then you will see the complete titles and chapters rolled out on the list more or less like the screenshot below.

Click open the "Profile" dropdown box, navigate to "Common Video" to make a choice on AVI profiles. We are going to use "Xvid Movie (*.avi)" profile, for the DVD-like picture quality and excellent sound quality. Based on MPEG-4 compression, it can guarantee the best ratio of quality to file size. As Xvid is an open-source codec, Xvid encoded AVI video is highly portable to be played on other PC easily.

Then click "Settings" to open codec control. You will see a list of codec parameters: Video Codec, Quality, Bit Rate, Video Size, Frame Rate, Aspect Ratio, etc.

There are quite a number of parameters set to "auto". It means to program will conduct the Xvid encoding with optimal settings. For beginners, this is a very handy design. But for veterans, it might not be enough to meet your picky demands. So let's explore the optimal settings for ourselves and gain a better understanding of how the DVD to Xvid AVI conversion works. I am going to manifest the difference among the settings of Bit Rate, the key factor which influences the video quality and file size, by a field-test experiment. Feel compelled to follow me?

In this experiment, I will rip a 9 second segment of DVD to Xvid AVI in different Bit Rate settings. It is a repetitive action and I think it makes more sense to jump to the conclusion now.

It is all right if this conclusive data table confuses you. It got me, too, in some senses. LOL. What is behind these data is an equation: File Size = (Video Bit Rate + Audio Bit Rate) * duration /8. If you are perceptive, you would notice this is not an accurate equation and there is small discrepancy between the custom video Bit Rate and the actual video Bit Rate. It is because the Video Bit Rate is vibrant but constant. The actual Video Bit Rate reflects the average of Video Bit Rate. The longer duration of the video is converted, the more approximate the actual Video Bit Rate is to the custom Video Bit Rate.

Take a 2 hour DVD movie for example, you can be assured to count on the custom Video Bit Rate, say 600, with 128kbps Audio Bit Rate to come up with a 650MB AVI video. ((600+128)*7200/8=655200) By doing this, you have reduced the 4GB DVD movie to 1/6 in size!

Of course, DVD backup won't be a valuable one if it doesn't have DVD-like picture quality. Take a look at the comparison of the screenshots from 600Kbps Video Bit Rate setting, Low Profile, Medium Profile and High Profile.

600Kbps and Low Profile have just been crossed off because of interior picture quality, while Medium Profile and High Profile are almost the same. If you take the 1.5 times file size multiplication lightly, High Quality Profile is your best choice. Otherwise, Medium Profile is the optimal choice for ripping DVD to Xvid AVI format for DVD backup, with good balance of video quality and file size.

In conclusion, rip CSS-protected DVD to Xvid format with Medium Profile in Leawo DVD Ripper is the optimal choice for DVD backup. However, this article encourages you to look deeper into the video conversion and use the DVD decrypter/ripper program well. It gives you a picture of how picture quality is in connection with Video Bit Rate. Try to experiment with any Bit Rate setting you want, then you can get the most desirable DVD backup copy of your CSS-protected DVD!

About the Author

does anyone know where i can find an avi to dvd converter that doesnt take 1 hour to convert?

plz help, i have downloaded every episode of bleach and would like to convert and burn to dvd in 1 program lik emy converter does now. the only problem is, it takes over 1 hour just to convert 5 episodes (2 hours of play). is there not any software that will reduce this speed?? as it took me less than 5 hours to download 180+ episodes and takes me 1 hour to burn 5.
thnx in advance.

If your dvd player supports DIVX

Then use nero and just put as many avis you can on a disc and burn as data.

My computer is really good and a 2hr movie takes about 45min then 16min to burn @ 16x

I have all the Bleach episodes and Death Note and Just to give you an idea if you convert to dvd like I like to do

I get 9 episodes of DeathNote onto 1 dvd and thats 36 episodes so thats 4 dvds

For bleach @ 180 you're looking at 20 dvds. At probably 180mb per episode.

just going to have to deal with it or burn as data

Oh yeah I use convertxtodvd the best software I have used.

Rush Hour 2 DVD Extras Versace Store Outtakes

Any Multi Media

How to Make a Multi-media Book not Just an Ebook Free

Pdf is a static document which never thrilled me as a means of conveying information considering the living power of the internet to make a web page come to life. Here's a way of making a multi-media or to use the phrase I coined m-book for free.....

If HTML is so Great, Why Not Use HTML?

For you total newbies, html is web page code. It stands fot hypertext markup language, Its grown so much over the years that it's now a cross platform multi-media system to convey anything from written text to the most popular television shows good on any language that any common computer can read from Mac to PC.

But Rick, Pdf is Cross Platform Too. I Can Use It On a Mac or Personal Computer

Absolutely! It does a great job with graphics too. Anything static that won't move or speak pdf does a great job. Now, if you want movies or even an animated gif, you have to click on a hyperlink which brings you where? To a web page!

Okay, But There's Already EXEs OUt There That Can Emulate a Web Page. Why Not Use EXEs

Once again for new folks. An executable ebook is an ebook in which all the graphics etc are compiled. Nothings wrong with them accept they are not Macintosh friendly. You may only use them for personal computers. EXEs, due to having to be compiled are usually bigger than pdfs, though a pdf with graphics can get pretty large as well. Once again though with an EXE we're closer to the power of the internet to present information in mutiple media formats including video.

I think the most interesting objection to EXEs I've heard yet was in a publishing group to which I belong. The poster stated

"I never download exe ebooks, too many contain viruses."

I then replied;

"Ummm, if you never download then how do you know so many contain viruses?"

I never received a response to this to my knowledge. All computers should contain virus software and antispyware. Even when you click a hyperlink in a pdf that web site could contain a virus or spyware. I believe the risks of finding an exe with a virus are just as small as a pdf with a bad link in it. It's a good rumor that can be started by any company which sells pdf software though.

Alright Rick, So What Is Your Idea?

My idea IS a form of html or web page code. It's called an HTA, which stands for hypertext application. It takes a web page, whether online in a frame or local into an executable, small, clickable application. Recently I've noticed, much like pdfs, htas are now a clickable link to open in some browsers and since some search engines can now read pdfs, I suggest placing your mbook in a compressed file such as zip.

Rick, What Are the Advantages of Using an HTA? Why Not Just Use Html?

The advantages of using an hta instead of html are some of the security issues are overridden. For example, if I choose to encrypt my book with javascript to give it some security, a local html would give you a security bar before showing. Your reader must be savy enough to at least click on the security bar to allow the information to show in text format. An hta overrides this so your reader doesn't have to do this. I know this seems like a basic skill, but never, ever, assume your reader has even the most basic computer skills. I've had to videos to teach my mom to copy and paste.

What Are Some of The Disadvantages fo Using An Hta Rick?

Since an hta is not compiled, you either have to store your graphics and videos in the zip file or you have to host them online. I personally opt for hosting them online on my own website. Why? A simple way of conveying updated information and reminders. If your readers are logged onto the internet already so they can see your graphics, a simple announcement page can be added as an iframe in your mbook. It's also very easy if you host your graphics on your website to update your graphics. New graphics and fresh content will keep readers opening your mbook.

An hta mbook must be a single page, unless you have it continue on web based pages or local web pages. I usually place a print button on top and a close button on the bottom to make it easier for readers.

Htas are specific to PCs only, but later in this article when I explain how to make. Simply do not complete the last step and send it to Mac users as an html. Once again the power of the internet regardless of the type of computer owned by your reader.

How DO I Make an Hta Rick?

Making an hta, in it's most basic format, couldn't be easier.

Make a local web page using any web editor you wish http://kirkhamsebooks.com/Marketing/MakeWebPage/

After you're done PC users right mouse click on your web page

Left mouse click on Open with

Left mouse click on notepad

Left mouse click on file

Left mouse click on Save as

Left mouse click to the right Save as type: at the pull down menu
Left mouse click on all files

Left mouse click inside the file name box. This should highlight your file

Now name your file My file name.hta

If you look at your file and a white box appears to the left you have successfully made your first hta file mbook! Now double click on it and notice the blue frame with the title to your mbook. Nice job I knew you could do it.

Htas are actually capable of doing a lot more than this, but this will give you the basic idea and possibly peak your interest.

Conclusion

In this 21st century of muti-media I look forward to watching ebooks evolve into multi-media presentations. There is a lot of power for presentations available using the internet. Why not take advantage of it?

About the Author

Dual certified teacher and self-defense instructor Sensei J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc. offers his sales, business and computer services http://newbieservices.com/ both online and in business and home. He currently represents HTML Encryptor for Your Web Page and Ebook http://newbieservices.com/InternetSoftware/htmlencryptor.html

A copy of this in mbook hta format is available for free in my members only section of my Post Ads and Marketing Help Forum http://newbieservices.com/Forum/index.php/board,23.0.html

Is there any way to get out of $9.99 data plan with verizon multi media phones?

I talked to a verizon rep and he said he thought a lady had her web blocked and it took the data plan off. I want an envy touch but I am in no way willing to pay $9.99 a month when I NEVER use internet on my phone. I am so outraged by this and am trying to find a loophole where I can get a phone I like but not have the data plan. I shouldn't have to get a crappy basic use phone because I don't use the internet.

The data plan is mandatory and not negotiable. Verizon will not activate a 3g multimedia phone without it. Your choices are to suck it up and sign, get a crappy phone or walk away to a different carrier. Frankly, the only way Verizon will even consider changing this policy is if customers like you walk away.

Emtec Multi Media Movie Cube R - 500 Gb Hard Drive - demonst